Investors expect this week to be a pivotal moment for the market. U.S. stocks have struggled in the past three months in part because of growing concerns that the struggling U.S. economy may start impacting corporate profits.

"The bright spot in this economy has been corporate earnings - and that's been the lone bright spot," said Dean Barber, president of Barber Financial Group. "While we expect a strong earnings season, you cannot have Corporate America and the economy heading in two different directions for too long."

Because the lineup for corporate earnings this week is diverse, there isn't one particular company or sector that investors should focus on, said Marc Pado, U.S. chief market strategist with Cantor Fitzgerald.

"You could see a major turning point in the market based on this week's earnings," said Marc Pado, U.S. market strategist with Cantor Fitzgerald.

Because typically second-quarter earnings are the weakest of the year due to the lack of economic activity, Pado said it's best to look at next week's earnings broadly and compare them year over year. Analysts are looking for second quarter earnings for the S&P 500 to rise 6.5% compared to last year, according to the S&P 500.

Financials will likely be one of the focuses again this week as investors digest results from the brokerages Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley as well as results from Dow member Bank of America.

Bank of America's results are expected to be closely watched after the company disclosed late last month it settled a lawsuit regarding its mortgage-backed securities. Analysts are expecting BofA to post a loss of 90 cents a share.

In economic data, Wall Street will get June housing starts and building permits from the Commerce Department at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Apple is scheduled to report its earnings after Tuesday's closing bell. The iPod, iPad and Mac computer maker is forecasted to earn $5.80 a share. Also out after the bell on Tuesday are results from Yahoo!.

Wednesday -- Before the bell, Dow member United Technologies will report its quarterly results along with S&P members BlackRock (BLK, Fortune 500) and Altria (MO, Fortune 500).

The National Association of Realtors will release their June existing home sales data as well.

After the bell, Dow members American Express (AXP, Fortune 500), and chipmaker Intel will issue their quarterly results.

Thursday -- Before the bell, Dow members AT&T (T, Fortune 500) and Travelers (TRV, Fortune 500) will report their results. Also reporting on Thursday is Morgan Stanley, who is expected to post a loss of 62 cents a share.

On the economic front, the Labor Department issues its weekly jobless claims data at 8:30 a.m. ET. The Philadelphia Federal Reserve will release its July manufacturing survey at 10 a.m. ET.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is scheduled to testify in front of the Senate Banking Committee starting at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday. The chairman is speaking on the Dodd-Frank financial regulatory reform law.

After the bell, investors will get earnings results from Intel competitor Advanced Micro Devices (AMD, Fortune 500) as well as software giant Microsoft (MSFT, Fortune 500). Analysts expect to earn 58 cents a share, according to Thomson Reuters.